It’s simple math: you put a crappy team in front of the ’08 Chicago Bears, and they’ll kick the shit out of them. And that’s what happened on Sunday at Soldierz. The Bears defense put them ahead, intercepting the first pass of the game and returning it to the JAX 5. And it was pretty much over from there. But before we start jerking each other off, let’s put this W into perspective. We beat a 4-8 team, which means they’ve lost twice as much as they’ve won. So we didn’t really prove much more than we can beat a bad warm-weather team in the cold.
But the Bears don’t play to prove anything, they play to win games. And one thing is for sure, we need to win out (putting us at 10-6) to have any shot at the post season. Even though we no longer control our own destiny, we can still beat whoever is in front of us and hope for the best. And as the first win in four must-wins, our 700th team victory came at as good a time as any. It not only gives us a much needed confidence boost, it keeps us alive. At least for another four days.
We weren’t as dominant as we’ve been in other recent slaughters of lower-tier teams, but the game was never really close. Our offense was more solid than they’ve been lately. Though no one played particularly well, the Beard completed 20 passes for 220 yards and 2 TD’s. And our defense played well. They allowed 120 yards rushing but held JAX to 4 completions for 33 yards on 7 first half possessions. So our pass D gave us a little something to be excited about (but only like church excited, where you kind of keep it hidden inside). Overall the stats were surprisingly even, as the Bears were protecting a large lead in the second half, allowing the Jag Bags to skew the numbers. The two biggest discrepancies we could find were in QB Rating (the Ortonian Wonder won 85.3 – 61.1), and of course, the score (23-10).
So we host New Orleans on Thursday night (I believe the game is on channel 50). What a match-up. We beat them in the NFC Championship game two years ago (39-14), and again in last year’s last game (33-25), both in Chicago. We also beat them in NO in ’05 (20-17). They come in 7-6 just like us, and though we’re both long shots in the Wild Card race, whoever wins this game stays alive for at least another three days. And whoever loses is done for the year. So we hate to sound repetitive, but this week is another must-win, and even then it still depends on what everyone else in the NFC does. So we have to take a ‘win and wait’ approach.
One ray of hope is that we were reminded today that home field in the winter can be a plus, especially against a warm-weather team. Both of our victories over NO were in the winter. And we have two more at home. Now if only we can take advantage of that, we might have the chance to take advantage of it again against someone else.
Super Bowl, Super Still Alive!
© 2008
Bear Down Baffa 
Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 11:40 am |
The Jaga are a talented severely under-performing team this year. Their pass offense is weak, but they can and did run the ball against us (both Fred Taylor and MJD ran for over 50 apiece!!!!). I still think our biggest weakness is in our passing game. Orton had 3 picks last week, only 2 were his fault, and another this week, but my concern lies in his completion %. 58% on the year and couple that with his low yards per completion you have a mediocre at best “game manager”. His saving grace has been the low int totals, which this trend may be reversing with those 4 picks in 2 games. I could not bring myself to post after the embarrassment against minny last week. We are set up well with 2 home games in December and the last a roady versus the Texans. I know we don’t technically control our destiny, but I think if we win out, we will end up tied at least with Minnesota, hopefully the NFL grows a pair of balls and doesn’t go back on their word with the deserved suspension of those ROID’d up D-linemen on the Vikes. I mean think about what Dusty D and Tommy Harris would do if they were under the same influence…………..
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Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 2:14 pm |
BBK,
Thanks for your post. As for Dusty D, I wouldn’t doubt he’s done some roids in his day. In fact, I don’t doubt just about everyone in the NFL has tried. I’m not saying they all have, I’m just saying I wouldn’t be surprised by it. Guys on my high school team were taking them, and that was 1990. But I do hope the Williams’ sisters are suspended. That would be the break the Bears need.
BTW, I’ve read in 2 pieces that the Vikes have some tie-breaker over the Bears. But I don’t see it. We can still catch them in conference and division records, and we split with them. Our point differential is so close it’s scary, but I don’t think that’s used until like the 8th tie-breaker. So does anyone know how Minni has already clinched a tie-breaker? Or did they just clinch a tie in a tie-breaker…..?
Thanks for reading, and for bearing down K-style!
bdb editor
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